I
have the honour to welcome you all to this Town Hall Meeting,
to observe the World Aids Day, with the recognition to the theme
of " Live and let live, Stigma and Discrimination."

The
deep personal commitment of the Secretary General, and the United
Nations General Assembly in engaging the world leaders and society
at the Special Session on HIV/AIDS last year, has focused the
World's attention to HIV/AIDS and generated a global resolve
to effectively fight this epidemic. Many countries that were
previously in denial that this epidemic existed in their territories,
have now openly acknowledged the problem and are joining the
world community to arrest its spread.

There
are over 42 million adults and children living with AIDS, of
which, some 14 million are orphaned children. These horrific
statistics speak for themselves. The stigma attached to HIV/AIDS
and the discrimination against those suffering from the disease,
are still keeping many nations and communities in denial of
acknowledging this epidemic in their midst, contributing to
its spread and further loss of life. The disavowal of HIV/AIDS
victims by society in these communities, ranges from refusal
of health care services to eviction from their homes. The World
Aids Day campaign aims to focus on all elements that play a
part in effective prevention and care to arrest the spread of
the disease. I am convinced that the removal of stigma and discrimination
are key elements in this effort.

We
wish to thank the distinguished guests who have so generously
given their time and who will share with us their thoughts and
experiences publicly, thus supporting the work of the Secretary
General and the United Nations family to help to lend transparency
to this social issue and assist to remove the stigma and shame
attached to it.

Thank
you

Office
of the President of the General Assembly, United Nations, New York, NY,
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